Riffing on the Mayan calendar prediction that the world will end Dec. 21, 2012, Anheuser-Busch has released a new seasonal beer to its line of Shock Top. An amped up of version of Shock Top, a Belgian White, the new End of the World Midnight Wheat is made with midnight wheat, chocolate malt, chili and spice. The beer will be available nationwide in six- and 12-packs of bottles and also on draft through the end of the year, pending the world doesn’t end first.

The brewery's line:

“Belgian-style wheat ale... Shock Top End of the World Midnight Wheat has a dark, rich color and delivers an indulgent flavor... Shock Top End of the World Midnight Wheat is a bold new unfiltered wheat ale brewed with midnight wheat, chocolate malt, chili and other spices.”

Tasting notes:

Appearance: A deep brown hue with medium carbonation that bubbles up in the glass once poured. The beer includes a small head and is clean with no visible sediment.

Smell: Distinct notes of malt, oats and sweet chocolate emanate from the glass.

Taste: Like the nose, the taste is malty and sweet with roasted chocolate undertones. There is a bit of warm spice mixed in with the wheat flavors. The beer includes a clean finish.

Mouthfeel: The beer is warm, robust and lively on the tongue with a clean, fresh finish.

Serving: Bottle

Overall: I have always found Shock Top to be a middle-of-the-road wheat beer. Given the option if I am looking at this range of beers, I would choose a Blue Moon. That being said, End of the World is a sort of ramped-up version of Shock Top. It is operating off the same base with some spice and chocolate thrown in for kick. If the world were in fact ending, I would not recommend stocking up on this beer.